This long short story or short novella is fun and different with at least one great jolt. Not the exact ending I wanted but well played. Will look for more by this author. ( )

Another brilliant tale from the dark and twisted imagination of Kealan Patrick Burke.
It is told from the point of view of Steve Brannigan who has recently lost his only child.

"I loved her. One rainy night I put her to bed and when I woke up, she was dead. That was the beginning of the end of my world. This is the rest of it."

Mired in grief, and without the comfort of his wife, Steve spends his time with the TV, a bottle, and his agonizing loneliness. When he discovers his daughter's "Blanky" in what should be her empty room it seems at first to bring about a way to reconnect with his wife. Until at last Steve remembers where Blanky has been, and that his baby daughter's death was not from natural causes.

5 out of 5 stars from me. This is a must read! ( )

From the opening line, "You say you can’t imagine what it must be like to lose a child. Let me make it easy for you. It’s the beginning of the end of the world.”...... the reader knows what to expect and this author delivers, capturing all of the emotions, the guilt, the blame, the grief and sorrow, and the heart-rending pain of parents who suddenly lose their nine-month-old daughter. For the father, Steve Brannigan, the narrator of the story, it is suddenly a lonely life and he retreats to mindless TV sitcom reruns and alcohol. His wife, Lexi, escapes to her parents’ home, unable to be in the house where her daughter died or to face her husband. The story’s tone is quickly and creepily altered when, in her empty bedroom, Steve discovers his daughter’s favorite “blanky” lying on the floor. Steve knows it can't possibly be there since he and his wife buried it with the baby. The appearance of the “blanky” not only allows for the buildup of suspense...but also for a Kealan Patrick Burke trademark...mind-numbing, goose-bump producing, terror. The story continues to vividly escalate the terror with more and more ghastly events. If you are a horror fan but dislike the gore that comes with some books of the genre...you will find the terror in this story to be personal...painful...nerve wracking...and entirely, unforgettable. ( )

BLANKY is a powerful novella, full of grief, pain, and horrors previously unknown-those both real and imagined.

You can't let Kealan deceive you with that innocent looking cover. Any of you already familiar with his work wouldn't fall for that anyway. This is a tale that touches on everything it is to be human, both good and bad.

The time we spend with our families, even the irritating or angry times, are all something special. We may only want to focus on the fun, good memories, but that's not reality. BLANKY makes you think about, made ME think about- exactly what reality is.

With this story, be prepared to bring a piece of yourself and leave it upon the altar of Kealan Patrick Burke.

My highest recommendation. Period.

*I bought this novella with my hard earned money and reading it cost a small piece of my soul.*

( )

A very unique and imaginative novella, I read this in one sitting. The monster in this story is an actual baby blanket. That is so weird and wonderful at the same time. Steve is struggling with his grief following the death of his infant daughter. His wife has moved out and he spends his days drinking. The reader is left wondering if the events are really happening, or is Steve just out of his mind with grief. ( )